2x23 Aithalian Lessons · you've proven how every good it can still be. (beat) You're a good...

"Aithalian Lessons"

Written ByHadrian McKeggan

Episode #: 2x23Published May 22, 2003

This teleplay is originally fromwww.startrekrenaissance.com

"Star Trek" and related names are registeredtrademarks of Paramount Pictures, Inc.This original work of fiction iswritten solely for non-profit purposes.Copyright 2003 by The Renaissance Group.All Rights Reserved.

RENAISSANCE: "Aithalian Lessons" - TEASER 1.

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. SPACE

First, the blackness of space. Then we see a grey dot, andas it moves closer at a leisurely speed, we see it is theENTERPRISE.

CROSS (V.O.)Empty. I guess that's the best wordI can put to it.

INT. ENTERPRISE -- ENGINEERING

The NIGHT SHIFT, indicated by the lower level lighting. Afew N.D.s and ANDREW CHAMBERS are quietly walking around,checking the stats. NEIL CROSS passes into camera, walkingthrough Engineering and responding to anyone who seems toengage him with a curt nod. We near nothing, other than:

CROSS (V.O.)For the first time in a long time,pain is something I can deal with. Keep to myself. Keep under. Butall it leaves is emptiness... searching...

INT. ENTERPRISE -- MORGUE

Lights off, room's empty. We can still see the room properly. Cross enters, and walks over to a bed where something iscovered up. Cross respectfully twitches part of the coveringaside, revealing the face of security guard killed in "TheGround Beneath Her Feet." Cross gazes into the sightlesseyes.

CROSS (V.O.)As if there wasn't anything inside. Just a vacant shell, drifting... agaping void where the pain can'treach me.

INT. ENTERPRISE -- CORRIDOR

Also NIGHT SHIFT. Focus on Cross as he walks, alone. Onlyoccasionally do we see anyone else in the corridor, and theydo not notice him.

CROSS (V.O.)But searching for what? Well, that'sthe problem. I didn't know. I knewI wanted something, or to dosomething, but what that was, Icouldn't begin to define.

RENAISSANCE: "Aithalian Lessons" - TEASER 2.

INT. ENTERPRISE -- MISSION OPS

NIGHT SHIFT. Almost less then a handful of people here. Cross walks into the room, and begins working at a panel. It looks like he's doing the futuristic equivalent of thumbingthe index.

CROSS (V.O.)So I kept that under, too. But Iknew I needed an answer. What did Iwant? What was it I needed?

INT. ENTERPRISE -- CROSS'S QUARTERS

Cross is sitting by the computer terminal in his room. Overhis shoulder, we can see a lot of text, and an IMAGE of ablue-green class-M planet not entirely unlike our own Earth...

CROSS (V.O.)Now, I think I have my answer.

On Cross's face, we...

FADE OUT.

END OF TEASER

RENAISSANCE: "Aithalian Lessons" - ACT ONE 3.

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

INT. ENTERPRISE -- READY ROOM

TALORASir, I cannot allow you to put yourlife at risk for such an arbitraryreason.

TALORA is sitting in front of Cross, who sits in his usualchair. Cross looks like he's been expecting this, and seemsto both sense and ignore Talora's statement at the same time.

CROSSThe border we're currently patrollingis the quietest part of the Klingonfrontier. There hasn't been anengagement between Imperialists andReformists here for half a decade,and both have agreed to respect theneutrality of the area.

TALORA(pointedly)

That's not my point.

Cross nods. His expression indicates that Talora's point,however necessary, is still a sore wound.

CROSS(quieter)

"The Butcher of Coular." I'm notexpecting cheering crowds.

TALORAMore than one Klingon has sworn tokill you by his bare hands. Even ifthe inhabitants of the neutral areamay not be among them, those thatare would not hesitate to jump tothe opportunity.

CROSSI'll try to keep a low profile.

TALORAYou're one of the most recognizablehumans in Klingon territory.

CROSSI said I'd try.

(beat)Passage of civilian craft into theneutral territory only requires

(MORE)


CROSS (CONT'D)minimal -- and automatic -- screeningby outpost stations. I won't haveto announce my arrival.

TALORAThat scarcely lessens the potentialrisk, and I cannot see why you don'tarrive at all.

Cross, beginning to see this line of reasoning is working,prepares to take a different angle.

CROSSTalora, I need to do this. It'sthat important to me, thatsignificant. I just look at thattext, those pictures... and know Ishould be there. As if I was alwaysmeant to go there. As if it's allI've ever been for -- that's what itmeans to me. There's the possibility,even in as quiet a place as here, ofserious danger. But for this, I'mwilling to chance it.

TALORAYour definition of "need" is veryvague, sir.

CROSSBut it's also very real.

Beat. Talora soaks that in, but she doesn't take long.

TALORAYou may be willing to "chance it,"Captain, but you have a ship andcrew that need you, and whose needis both immediate and clearlydefinable. Going unarmed and aloneinto very likely hostile territoryseriously jeopardizes that need. Given your important standing, youcan't shrug that duty off. You'refar too valuable.

Cross half-smiles to himself.

CROSSValuable? I suspect Delfune wouldbeg to differ, some Q'taminotwithstanding.

(beat)I have sufficient leave timeaccumulated. And the Enterprise hasa fine Captain right here.


TALORACaptain, that is flattering, but --

Cross raises his hand to indicate he has more to say.

CROSSNo, it's not flattering. You've ledthis crew through some of the hardesttimes it had. When I wasn't thereto turn to -- you were. And younever abandoned them.

(beat)The crew can do without me, Talora. The crew has done without me -- andyou've proven how every good it canstill be.

(beat)You're a good leader. Through someof our gravest problems, you led thecrew, and they followed. A Romulanexchange officer that Federationcitizens are willing to do much morethan merely obey. You inspireloyalty, Talora. And you scarcelygive yourself the credit.

(beat)Even more, you're one I've seen almostall the crew trust.

(beat)Trust, Talora. You know how muchthat means in command? Trust isfour-fifths of command skill. Ilost most of mine at Coular.

TALORAYou cannot allow the opinions of afew --

CROSSNo, I don't mean opinions, Talora. I mean trust. Grey might be alonein his hostility, but that all-important, subtler trust has beenshaken clear across the board.

(beat)But before you say it, you're right. My duty is to this ship, and thiscrew. It's not a duty I intend toshirk. I have every intention ofcontinuing on here, and everyintention of performing my best. But this is something I need,something I want to do above allelse. And if problems come by theway...

(MORE)


CROSS (CONT'D)(beat)

I know the Enterprise will have aCaptain she can be proud of.

(beat)You might consider it unreasonablefor me to chance the danger. I knowwhen it comes to this decision, likewith any leader, the choice effectsmore then my own personal existence.But I also know the limits of myimportance. The ship can carry onwithout me, but if I stay... I'llnever forgive myself for not going.

There is a long BEAT, as the implications sink in for Talora.

TALORAI take it you have no intention tobe talked out of this?

CROSSHardly.

TALORAFive days?

CROSSFive days.

Hold as they look at each other, then...

CUT TO:

INT. ENTERPRISE -- CORRIDOR

We're from someone's POV, not immediately clear whose. Wesee ELRIS LEA, JENNIFER QUINLAN, Y'LAN, GRIL DOJAR, ERIKGREY, and Talora, all more or less at attendance, looking atsomeone...

Whom we now reveal is Cross. Slightly inward, with a faintlayer of outer amusement. He has a bag.

CROSS(wry)

No Carter here to see me off? I'malmost disappointed.

QUINLANHal's got him doing a special intereststory on the Enterprise's bartender. With any luck, he won't know you'regone for another two hours.

Cross smiles.


CROSSI don't know which one to pity.

DOJARThat'd depend if Hal can get Carterto drink a glass of Whagosh cocktail.

CROSSIn that case, it's Hal I pity.

(to Y'lan)And I hardly expected you at all.

Y'LANThis peculiar ritual concerningdeparture was sufficiently interestingto use some limited time examiningits intricacies.

CROSS(dry)

I'm touched, of course.

Y'LANI am not touching you.

CROSSIt's a metaphor, Y'lan.

Y'LANIs this statement designed to makeme serve a general ritualisticfunction?

CROSSNo, Y'lan, I reserved it speciallyfor you.

Y'LANIn what capacity, then, am I beingassigned in the deliverance of aspecially given message?

CROSS(muttered)

The headache.

Y'lan, though unreadable as always, seems to pause to processthe information. Amongst humans the Q'tami has finallyinterpreted them correctly to the point of knowing when theywon't be very pliable to incessant prying -- or bluntly,when it's wise to shut up.

Subtly, the mood changes. Cross's exterior of light jokingpeels away. He walks down the corridor -- exchanging glancesat each crew member. Heavy laden in the eyes is the knowledgeof all the vicissitudes they've been through, and a faint,melancholy-tinged sense of camaraderie.


They know why he's going, and the looks show something ofhope.

Until Cross's eyes lock with Grey. Cross gazes into thoseicy, angry orbs. Grey wears his feelings on the cuff of hissleeve, but Cross's are harder to fathom. His expressionseems to indicate something, but one is left grasping at"what." Remorse? Acceptance? Sadness?

In a moment, Cross turns away...

INT. ENTERPRISE -- SHUTTLEBAY TWO -- CONTINUOUS

Into the shuttlebay. Cross slings the bag carefully as hestrides towards his target -- the Captain's Yacht, cetaceanin appearance. The doors close behind him, and he is leftalone. We can soon see the name of the Yacht: MAGNUS.

Momentarily, Cross glances around the lonely shuttlebay, andthen at his bag -- almost as if he's making the real decisionthen and there.

Finally, Cross strides towards the Yacht, and the door tothe side opens. Cross disappears into it before the doorcloses.

EXT. ENTERPRISE

A shot of the Enterprise in space. We focus on the doors ofone of the shuttlebays, which parts. The Magnus appears,leaving the bay.

INT. MAGNUS -- COCKPIT

We look at Cross from a bird's eye view for a moment. He'ssitting in the main chair in the room. Slowly, the camerabegins to rotate, until the view has changed from his abovehim to just behind him. He watches his controls, watchingmore then operating them. We can hear nothing. We hold fora beat, then Cross picks up from a nearby panel "Tron, Killerof Remus." He flicks through it for a moment but then,evidently not in the mood, puts it back.

CROSS (V.O.)I came across it in the Enterprise'sdatabanks. Dukhta. A Klingon world. Site of two of the bloodiest campaignsin the bitter Imperialist-Reformistconflict. The planet was much covetedfor its considerable wealth. Butthe savage campaigns both waged toattain it laid the planet utterlywaste.

Cross stands, and heads for the replicator at the back.


CROSS (V.O.) (CONT'D)Having shorn Dukhta of what they'dhoped to seize, the two factionsmoved on to other, still valuableworlds to bicker over. But Dukhta,drifting and forgotten, remained.

Cross mouths to the replicator. A steaming cup of hotchocolate materializes.

CROSS (V.O.) (CONT'D)Dukhta's newfound poverty made itmore of a liability than an asset,and when the peace talks rolled round,both self-interested sides we quitecontent to declare Dukhta part of a"neutral zone" and leave the planetto its fate.

Cross walks back to his chair, and sits down.

CROSS (V.O.) (CONT'D)The planet's people were doingwhatever they could to repair theirplanet's infrastructure, but they'dbeen pleading to all the major aidagencies for some time now. And notjust aid agencies -- anyone who couldput in anything to the cause.

(beat)I guess that's what awoke it.

Cross begins to drink his hot chocolate. He stares idlythrough the portholes, not seeming to be in any rush oranxiety. Lost in his own thoughts, musing.

CROSS (V.O.) (CONT'D)I looked at their cry for help, andI knew that was what I had lookedfor. I knew it was what I'd wanted. Almost instinctively, I wanted toreach out, to help, to do something...

(beat)...something. Pity, conscience...I'm not sure, exactly. Could beone. Could be both.

(beat)I couldn't see myself acting anyother way.

As Cross looks distantly out the viewport...


CUT TO:

EXT. MOUNTAINS -- DAY

A virtually cloudless blue sky extends above us, arching offinto the distant horizon. We are far up a mountain, andsimilar massive beasts, forming a range, arch off to ourleft and right. If we look far enough in front, droppingour eyes to the ground below, we can see open plains. Thenatural landscape is simply stunning, absolutely breathtaking,an impressive, awing panorama that should immediately givepause for thought.

One can almost taste the bitter, dehydrating dryness,dustiness, of the air.

And in those plains we can see, so far away, so small, acluster of shining brown-red -- clearly a city of some kind.

We pan backwards, as if backpedaling, arching up over lumpsand steep crevasses in the high mountain surface. Soaringbackwards, hugging close to the bedrock but not too close. Finally we see a building -- an unassuming, futuristic shack --emerge to our right, and we swing about 180 degrees to see aVILLAGE.

The architecture is unmistakably Klingon. But the buildingsare simple -- none over two stories -- and drab. They dotthis semi-flat area of the mountain specially adapted andshaped to the mountain's terrain. They all look in fairlyreasonable repair, if faded -- and although from the futurethey still instinctively look outdated.

The village is not too large. We can see most of it -- thoughsome of it seems to be off upward on another jut of themountain not yet visible. It is fairly well organized andhas a reasonably well-kept road, and there are buildings toserve a variety of purposes -- though most seem residential.

All buildings, however, seem to cling to the dusty, chokyair. There almost seems to be a dirty lair of it on everyone.

It is clearly a quiet hour for the inhabitants of the village --for one gets the distinct feeling the area is occupied -- asnobody is out.

Nobody, that is, except for one OLD KLINGON. He looks likehe's at the high end of the Klingon equivalent to the humanage of sixty, and has genuinely wrinkled skin to go with thetraditional facial anatomy. His hands are gnarled. He hasa good, full beard and flowing hair, both with their healthystrands of grey. There is something sharp, keen about theeyes. He wears unassuming clothes -- simple, cotton-lookingfabrics, and the Klingon equivalent of an overcoat.


He is standing, and looking just above us, in the directionof higher up the mountain -- but we can't see what he'slooking at. His hand is above his eyes, indicating he'slooking for something. Seemingly unsatisfied he turns away. Only a slight sense of frustration can be felt, more thananything he looks tired. As if to relax, he idly looks outat the skies.

As we now follow his view, we see, in the sky, a white objectplunging towards the city below. The OLD KLINGON seems onlymildly curious as he watches it. But even from this distance,the basic outline of the shape is unmistakably the MAGNUS.

On this view, we...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

RENAISSANCE: "Aithalian Lessons" - ACT TWO 12.

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

EXT. DUKHTA -- CITY -- DAY

We see an overhead shot of a fairly LARGE CITY -- presumablythe one we saw at the end of Act One, only much closer. Thebuildings and decor bear a marked resemblance to those onQo'noS, even if this style doesn't fit as well into thelandscape. There is something eerie about the city -- itlooks like it's been gutted in the not too distant past. Indentations and visible repairs plastering over scorchesare everywhere. Even more blatant are the bombed outbuildings, the abandoned, half destroyed ruins that appearwith distressing regularity across the landscape. The fewbuildings that seem to be new have a subdued look about them:Inexpensive, unassuming and nothing other then practical. Given the state of repair of some of the intact buildings,one expects the city was made for a much larger populacethen now resides...

We focus on a respectively sized building. It is an olderbuilding, but one which seems to have been refurnished quitea bit.

INT. CITY BUILDING -- RECEPTION AREA

A large RECEPTION AREA. It looks like a room with a lottorn out of it. The wallpapers, floorboards and all are allplain and nondescript, but an imposing curve here, an archthere, an exquisite door -- all harkens back to a much moreornate and grandiose room. A reception area has been set upat the extreme back of the room, whose position seems botharbitrary and uncomfortable with the environment. The crowdthat throngs about is mostly Klingon, though there aresmatterings of Saurians, Anticans, Andorians, Arcturians,Benzites, a few humans...

Cross, naturally, falls into the last category. He's nowwearing nondescript civilian clothes. Looking slightly lostand disorientated, Cross heads in the general direction ofthe end of the room.

We can note that the odd Klingon does look at Cross curiously --as said before, the crowd is Klingon by a wide margin. Butothers, perhaps more knowledgeable, look at him first indisbelief and then in icy contempt.

Finally, Cross reaches the end of the room -- which isrevealed to be the receptionist's desk. The Klingonreceptionist is sitting at a 25th century Klingon computer. His clothes have nothing Klingon about them. Cross standsin front of the desk. The receptionist looks up at him fora moment.


RECEPTIONISTDo I know you?

CROSS(taken by surprise)

What? No, not that I'm aware of.

He nods.

RECEPTIONISTLooked familiar.

(now looking atcomputer)

Do you wish to make a donation tothe Dukhta Reconstruction Fund?

CROSSActually, I'm looking to see if Ican avail of my services for Dukhta'sreconstruction.

RECEPTIONIST(still working atcomputer)

Ah. Any special skills you thinkwould make you useful for thereconstruction?

A BEAT as Cross figures out how to answer that.

CROSSWell, I...

(beat)I have a reasonable amount oftechnical knowledge.

RECEPTIONIST(looking at computer)

Know how to build replicators fromscratch?

CROSS(hopefully)

I can repair them.

The Receptionist muses on that for a moment, then realizes:

RECEPTIONISTI'm sorry -- I forgot to ask foryour name.

Cross braces himself, then:

CROSSCross, Neil A.


The receptionist types that in. His brow furrows for a moment --and we can see his REALIZATION vividly. He looks up.

RECEPTIONIST(aghast)

You're...

Cross doesn't nod, but the look in his eyes confirm. TheReceptionist stands up, throws open the doors next to himand walks right through. Cross tenses, waits.

The amount of icy, contemptuous stares has seemed to doublein the interim.

VOICE (O.S.)(to Cross)

You there!

Cross's eyes reach across the room until he sees who iscalling at him -- an elderly KLINGON. The Klingon issomewhere in the Klingon equivalent to the human eighty orninety. He is on a futuristic wheelchair.

ELDERLY KLINGONYou did it, you there! I know! Myson! He was my son!

Cross begins to turn away -- then IMMEDIATELY thinks thebetter of it. Determined to see it through, determined tosee every moment of it. He stares at the elderly Klingon,saying and doing nothing -- even though the elderly Klingon'soutburst is creating an awkward amount of attention. Manypeople stop what they are doing, and look up -- recognizingCross for who he is.

ELDERLY KLINGON (CONT'D)(growing more shrill)

He never wanted to hurt humans, youknow! He was my son! You killedhim! You did it! I know! You killedhim!

The Elderly Klingon pauses to take his breath. He doesn'tlook angry, or seem angry, but that he's in a great deal ofpain, emotionally and physically.

A young Klingon woman (N.D.), who is next to the ElderlyKlingon, leans forward and whispers something to him, seemingto calm and placate him. When she looks up at Cross, shelooks up with raw hatred, and Cross accepts this verdictmuch as the other.

The doors open again, the receptionist pointing at Cross forthe benefit of a KLINGON WOMAN next to him. Like him, herclothes are distinctly un-Klingon. Her face immediatelyturns into one of distaste. The receptionist returns to hisdesk, she holds the door open.


KLINGON WOMAN(to Cross, indicatingdoor)

Get inside.

Cross, with that same patient acceptance, walks through thedoor.

ELDERLY KLINGON (O.S.)You killed my son!

The receptionist's eyes -- and those of many others -- followCross until the Klingon Woman CLOSES the door.

INT. CITY BUILDING -- RECONSTRUCTION HQ -- CONTINUOUS

This room also has an uneasy and conflicting feeling. Aroom of evident history that, also, has been shorn andreplaced with something very different. However, the chairs,table, and Klingon equivalent of chandelier are all clearlyfrom a less stricken age. A small group of Klingons -- sixin all -- sit around the table. There is no uniform amongstthem, but they are all dressed in clothes clearly lackingKlingon origin. The table seems to be mostly a computer-panel input station, with appropriate panels and flat-on-desk screens for each chair sitting around it. Almost allof the screens currently show maps -- one of a continentwith many specks, another of a city and its environs with afew specks, and so on. A complete map of the planet, withseveral thousand specks, adorns the back wall. One of thesitting Klingons has a cup of hot coffee. This is the onewho looks up as the doors part, revealing the KLINGON WOMAN --followed by Cross. The registering expressions imply theseKlingons both know Cross and, however incredulous they areabout it, why he's here.

She closes the door behind herself.

KLINGON WOMANIs this some kind of joke?

CROSSNo. It's quite sincere.

KLINGON WOMANSincere? This is some kind of joke. What the hell are you doing on Dukhta?

CROSSI'm volunteering for a time in thereconstruction force.

KLINGON WOMANAre you trying to make a mockery ofeverything we've achieved here?


She walks down one way of the room, then turns to face Crossagain.

KLINGON WOMAN (CONT'D)We're trying to help people. Thousands of Dukhtans every day gowithout the basic necessities neededfor life. Millions more live barelyabove poverty level. Our populationhas fallen from three to one billionin the last twenty years! I knowlife doesn't mean very much to you,but here we'll help where we can.

Cross continues to stare at her, not responding.

KLINGON WOMAN (CONT'D)All right, I don't care why you'rehere anyone. Go on, out of my sight. Get out of the whole damn KlingonTerritories!

Before Cross can begin to leave -

KLINGON WITH COFFEEKitara.

The Klingon woman (KITARA) stops -- looking at Cross withrage barely bridled. But Cross is no longer meeting hergaze, looking instead across the room, at KLINGON WITH COFFEE. This Klingon is cynical, and contemptuous of Cross. Balding,Klingon equivalent of forties. He takes a sup of coffeebefore speaking again. Kitara sits in the vacant chair inthe interim.

KLINGON WITH COFFEE (CONT'D)You say you want to work with ourreconstruction force?

CROSSThat's correct.

KLINGON WITH COFFEEAnd is there anywhere in particularyou'd like to be posted? Anywhereconvenient?

CROSSNot in particular.

KLINGON WITH COFFEEAnd tell me, how long do you expectto be here? Have you renounced yourprecious Starfleet to undertake thisnoble deed?


CROSSI will be here for five days. I amhere on leave time.

KLINGON WITH COFFEEAh, of course. Wouldn't want tokeep you waiting to be re-embracedwith the precious Fleet, I'd say.

(with sense of blackhumor)

Think you got any skills that couldbe useful here? And please remember,genocide would not fall under thatcategory.

Cross winces at the barb.

CROSSI have some technical know-how.

KLINGON WITH COFFEEOh, I see, I see. Would replicators,perchance, fall into that category? Could you build one?

CROSSI can repair them.

KLINGON WITH COFFEEReally. My oh my.

(thinking, to himself)Now where is it...

He taps at his console for a moment, looking for something. He FINDS it.

KLINGON WITH COFFEE (CONT'D)Ah, yes. You're in luck.

(looking up again)It just so happens that a villageimmediately south of here had theirreplicator shorted out. T'khenaklin'sthe name. Up the Kolyara Mountains,apparently.

The Klingon pauses, sipping his coffee while reading somemore of the text, musing, considering. Then he looks upagain.

KLINGON WITH COFFEE (CONT'D)Seems they've only got the onereplicator, and the only storagearea for the repair equipment is atthe other end of the, ah, village. Rather inconvenient, wouldn't yousay?


Cross doesn't respond.

KLINGON WITH COFFEE (CONT'D)We could use with someone to carrythe equipment from storage toreplicator. Don't worry about therefreshments, the inhabitants arereported to do a good job at that. Are you up to the task, or would youlike to toddle back to where youcame from?

The Klingon clearly expects the latter answer.

CROSSThat will be fine, thank you. CouldI have the coordinates?

KLINGON WITH COFFEEHm?

CROSSI could take them back to my ship -

KLINGON WITH COFFEE(direly)

You have a ship in orbit!

The Klingon is about to continue, but Cross cuts in.

CROSS(calmly, forcefully)

I have a shuttle. Single, unarmed,and parked in the spaceport. If youcould give me the coordinates andwhen you would like me there --

KLINGON WITH COFFEE(dismissive)

It wouldn't make a difference, anyhow. The Kolyara Mountains are full of,what's it...

He looks down at the screen again.

KLINGON WITH COFFEE (CONT'D)Ah, kelbanite.

(looking back up)Blocks all transporter beams, youknow.

CROSSThen I could land my yacht in theregion --


KLINGON WITH COFFEEThose mountains are some of the mosttreacherous peaks on the wholecontinent. There's barely enoughspace for all those blasted villagesthat dot it, let alone a one-mancraft.

CROSSAre there any vehicles available?

KLINGON WITH COFFEENone that we can spare.

The Klingon looks down at the screen again. He's gettingimpatient, now. That he thoroughly dislikes Cross is obvious,that he's trying to fob him off the quickest way possible isjust as subtle.

KLINGON WITH COFFEE (CONT'D)There happens to be another youngvolunteer who is coming back from amonth's leave. He should be herelater today, and will begin the hikeup to T'khenaklin at noon. He'sbeen working there for some time,too. You can go with him.

The Klingon looks up.

KLINGON WITH COFFEE (CONT'D)Oh, and don't get any smart ideas. The lad's got military experience,and is always armed. First sign oftrouble... won't be a second time.

(beat)Got that?

Cross nods, very slowly.

CROSSWhere do I meet him?

CUT TO:

EXT. DUKHTA -- KOLYARA MOUNTAINS -- BOTTOM -- NOON

A KLINGON MALE, mid twenties, is standing by the foot of amountain. He is dressed in civilian garb -- but the garb isalso traditional Klingon wear. It resembles the traditionalattire of Klingon warriors. On his belt is visible holdingplace for both a d'k tahg and a Klingon disruptor. He has abackpack. As for the Klingon himself, he is strong, athletic,and energetic, flowing hair. There is something faintlygrim in him.


CROSS (O.S.)(from behind)

D'korga, I presume.

The Klingon turns to face him. Besides a backpack, Crosswears the same clothes as before. The Klingon smilesunpleasantly.

D'KORGAQuite correct. The Butcher of Coular,no doubt.

Cross doesn't respond to D'korga. D'korga waves in thedirection of the mountain range.

D'KORGA (CONT'D)Come!

D'korga walks a bit to the left, and then sets his foot onpart of the mountain range. We can now see that this is apath -- narrow, but not too steep. The only other distinctionbetween this path and the rest of the hills is that it isworn, without grass or life -- but otherwise basic dirt. Nearby the path, there is a sign in Klingon.

D'korga looks back at Cross, who hasn't moved.

D'KORGA (CONT'D)Or is this too steep?

Cross looks up the mountain. The path is visible for someway up, but is shrouded about midway.

CROSSIs any special equipment needed?

D'korga LAUGHS heartily.

D'KORGAEquipment? How weak you are! No,no equipment, human. Just willpower. But do you have that, eh?

CROSS(dryly)

I'll manage.

D'korga calms down.

D'KORGAGood, good. Come!

D'Korga now begins to walk up the path. Cross, not missinga beat, follows.


The ascent up the mountain is fairly steep -- enough to besignificantly more tiring then a flat road, but barely notsteep enough to need any additional support.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. DUKHTA -- KOLYARA MOUNTAINS -- PATH -- AFTERNOON

We pan across another part of the track, this segment muchhigher up then the previous one. D'korga and Cross passinto view. Both are sweating and substantially more tiredthen we've seen them before. Though D'korga is strainedphysically, he seems to have lost none of his vigor. Cross,on the other hand, is exhausted in every respect, and hesits on the ground.

CROSS(panting)

Maybe... maybe we should have a...

D'korga snorts.

D'KORGADo you break so easily?

D'korga hunches down near Cross, but does not sit down. Cross pulls off his backpack and opens it.

D'KORGA (CONT'D)I would never had considered such agreat butcher so frail.

Cross looks up at him.

CROSSI'll be all right in a moment.

D'KORGAReally.

Cross takes a flask out of his backpack. It's considerablymore advanced then an average flask -- it seems to have aself-heating system. He opens it, and welcome steam waftsat him. He takes a light sip.

D'KORGA (CONT'D)(confused)

What are you doing?

Cross looks up again.

CROSS(pointedly)

I'm drinking hot chocolate.

He holds the flask out to D'korga.


CROSS (CONT'D)Want some?

D'KORGA(making a face)

I won't touch your human drinks.

Cross shrugs, putting the flask back to his lips.

CROSSSuit yourself.

D'korga watches him for a moment, grimacing first in distasteand then, in a minute, with impatience.

D'KORGA(angry)

We have no time for this!

D'korga yanks the flask out of Cross's hands.

CROSSHey --

D'korga turns it upside down and pours the contents onto anearby rock. When finished, he smiles grimly, caps it andhands it back to Cross.

D'KORGA(sarcastic)

There. All done.

D'korga gets up and walks off further down the path.

D'KORGA (CONT'D)(not looking behind)

Come!

Cross, bemused and still a little shocked, puts his backpackback on and follows after D'korga. We pan up the mountainsidewith him. They continue to hike up the semi-steep path. Trees begin to pan out below them. Cross is keeping up, butis not very relieved.

CROSSYou wouldn't know how long it is,would you?

D'KORGA(not looking back)

Hah!

Cross is able to near D'korga, who is still walking at adecently brisk pace.

CROSSD'korga?


D'korga stops, turns around.

D'KORGA(seething)

We shall not reach T'khenaklin beforenightfall. And if you continue towhine, we shall not reach there beforemid-morning!

D'korga whirls around and continues his march up.


Cross exhales, and then continues the hike.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. KOLYARA MOUNTAINS -- PATH -- NIGHTFALL

The sun has just set. We are now very high up the KolyaraMountains. Both D'korga and Cross are now nearing the endsof their ability -- though as before, D'korga's vigor isstill unabashed. Cross has turned in on himself. His faceseems to say he's only aware now of the march -- the long,tiring march.

We now can see that D'korga is looking up at something. Wego to his POV to REVEAL...

ANGLE ON VILLAGE

The dusty, isolated village we saw at the end of Act One. It is directly ahead, only slightly higher then the hikers. They soon make good the distance. It is then, when D'korgareaches directly outside the village, Cross begins to focuson his surroundings again.

CROSS(distantly)

Is this...?

D'KORGAYes.

Cross sighs, exhausted. He immediately sits down on thenearest rock.

D'KORGA (CONT'D)Stay there. I'll arrange theaccommodation. Don't expect one ofyour cushy Starfleet beds.

Cross nods, too tired to speak. D'korga walks down the dustyroad through the village towards a particular building.


As he does, Cross looks around himself. Towards the starrysky, and around the dusty, quiet little village. There is afelling of serenity, of calm. He looks fairly appreciative.

CROSS(muttered, to himself)

Hmm.

On Cross, we...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

RENAISSANCE: "Aithalian Lessons" - ACT THREE 25.

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

EXT. T'KHENAKLIN -- FIELD -- MORNING

A patch of roughly flat land, just slightly away from a nearbyresidential building. It is not that big, but not overlysmall: T'khenaklin proper to one side, a dizzying ravinesweeping down the other.

We focus on Cross, who is sleeping in this field. He isusing his bag seen earlier as a pillow, and he's lying onsomething rolled out.

We focus on him for a moment, then he is KICKED sharply by aboot. Cross lurches to one side, startled awake.

D'KORGA (O.S.)Get up!

Sure enough, the kicker is D'KORGA, who now comes into view. Groggily, Cross shakes and lifts himself upright. He looksaround at the field, lost for a second, then his memory comesback to him.

D'KORGA (CONT'D)No time to spare. Come on! Worknow.

Cross initially doesn't respond, but looks to the ground toconfirm something -- his eyes stopping at his sack and drapedfabric.

CROSS(still looking)

I slept...?

He looks up to D'korga, indicates.

D'korga LAUGHS.

D'KORGAYes, that's not a comfy Starfleetbed. None of those around here!

D'korga turns away and heads towards the village.


CROSSCould I get a change of clothes?

D'korga turns around.


D'KORGAThis is not your Starfleet. No timefor cushy beds or "clothes-changing." We work, and we work now.

(turning around again)Come!

Cross shrugs, turns around, folds the fabric, puts it in thebag --


and heads off to join D'korga.

EXT. T'KHENAKLIN -- MARKET -- MORNING

We are now within T'khenaklin proper. D'korga and Crosswalk up that small, dusty lane seen earlier. We are evidentlyin a kind of marketplace. There are a number of stands andsigns, but presently only a handful of people are out. Thereis a decent space for both, but nothing particularlysubstantial. The impression we get is that not much actuallychanges hands at this market. We see a KLINGON, late fifties,at a stand, preparing fruits and fresh meat. He's dressedwith clothes that look worn -- not something commonly seenin this pristine future.

CROSS(to D'korga)

What's he doing?

Cross indicates to D'korga. D'korga chuckles, quietly.

D'KORGAHe's selling his wares.

Cross's brow furrows -- then he realizes.

CROSSHe's selling that food?

D'KORGANot everyone has the benefit ofreplicators. Isn't that what youcame for?

(beat, contemptuous)What you claimed to come for.

Cross is bemused, and follows D'korga.

CROSSYes, I came to repair the replicators. I just never thought...

D'korga turns around at him, now truly angry. Something'sbeen simmering for a while, but now it's snapped.


D'KORGA(barely restrained,maliciously)

Never thought! Then what did youthink? Did you think we got ourfood out of holes in the ground? Did you think we slept in cushyStarfleet beds like you did? Didyou think we'd all be just like you? What did you think you were doing atCoular? What did you think thoseKlingons down there were? Lambs?

(beat)Never thought!

D'korga stalks on ahead of Cross. A few people of T'khenaklinlook at Cross as a result of this outburst. Cross lookspained, but silent. He follows D'korga.

EXT. T'KHENAKLIN -- REPLICATOR HOUSE -- MIDMORNING

We have reached what appears to be near the outer area ofthe village -- up on that part not fully seen in Act One. The mountain continues to plummet upwards before us, therest of T'khenaklin looks from this angle as a small set ofbuildings cradled at the edge of the mountain's fearfulprecipices.

We focus on one particular building. It looks like all therest in T'khenaklin: Outdated, dusty, isolated, worn down. The faded, worn colors are indicative of grey, if anything. It's also in a respectable state of disrepair. It's singlestory and, from the look of it, single-roomed. It has onerespectably Klingon window, and one traditional Klingon door.

D'korga comes into view, opens the door of the building, andenters. He leaves the door open for CROSS to follow.

INT. REPLICATOR HOUSE -- CONTINUOUS

Essentially, a REPLICATOR dominates the far end of this singleroom. Substantially larger then the replicators we usuallysee. It more or less is the far wall, and has a long terminalfor receiving more then one other. It is very clunky andevidently old -- something that looks very much like a veryearly replicator model. The replicator is, of course, bothtarnished and dilapidated. It is walled off by a counter,which is also in disrepair. A handful of seats are aboutthe room, but none look sturdy enough to actually use.

Three KLINGONS are already working on the replicator.

One, (KLINGON #1) female, is dressed in some Klingon equivalentof hiking gear, a bit older then D'korga. The second, (KLINGON#2) male, is approximately D'korga's age, and is dressed inKlingon civilian wear.


The third, (KLINGON #3) male, well-rounded with smallish eyes,is about Cross's age and is dressed in loose, bland clothing. The third and first are at the replicator, apparently fiddlingwith some tools. Part of it's covering has been removed, andthey are working at systems that don't show any sign of life.

D'korga enters. His anger from before is beginning to cooloff.

KLINGON #2You're late.

D'KORGA(coolly)

You can blame that on the newcomer.

Cross enters behind him. The second Klingon gazes coldly athim.

KLINGON #2 (to Cross)

We've been informed.

CROSSThen you have me at a disadvantage.

Simultaneously, the first and third Klingons stop their workand look up. They gaze at Cross with the same expression asthe second.

D'KORGACross, this here --

(indicating KLINGON#2)

is Jrosennes. This --(indicating KLINGON#1)

is Maktra. And this --(indicating KLINGON#3)

Is Durnak.

CROSS(tacitly)

Nice to meet you.

DURNAK(haughty)

Of course.(to D'korga)

The power chargers aren't working.

D'KORGAWhat? You'd said you'd completedthe first phase of repairs.


DURNAKWe had. But when we began workingon the second phase, it all brokedown.

D'korga leans down to the replicator and inspects it. Hemutters to himself for a moment, then picks up a tool. MAKTRA, JROSENNES and Durnak crowd around him.

D'KORGAYou used this, right?

DURNAKYes, as you said.

D'korga then indicates part of the repair board.

D'KORGADid you use it here?

Jrosennes curses.

JROSENNESMu'qaD! I knew I forgot something!

D'KORGAOkay.

(to Maktra)Here, pass me that.

Maktra hands him another device.

D'KORGA (CONT'D)Now, not all the work we've done isgone. We can get to it if I simplydo this...

D'korga begins to work with the tool as they watch. Thesome of the area uncovered begins to light up, and emits asoft hum.

D'KORGA (CONT'D)...there.

(beat, he looks around)Jrosennes, where's the main powerconverter?

JROSENNESIt's back at storage.

D'KORGAGo get it.

Jrosennes nods, and LEAVES. D'korga hands the device he hasbeen using to Maktra.


D'KORGA (CONT'D)Here, keep this

(indicating)stable.

He picks up a tool as she begins to work. He works at anotherend of the uncovered area, as Durnak follows him.

D'KORGA (CONT'D)(indicating something)

Hmm. We're going to have to replacethis.

DURNAKDon't have any replacements. However,I've got an idea...

D'KORGAYes?

CROSSAhem.

Durnak gets up, turns around.

DURNAK(harshly)

Don't you have something you needdoing?

CROSSNo, actually.

Durnak pauses for just a moment.

DURNAKAll right. Here, go fetch me aSaurian Brandy. I could use one.

CROSSWhere can I find it?

DURNAKDown at Jal's. She keeps some instock for us.

CROSSJal's?

DURNAKqoH, you slept in her field, didn'tyou?

CROSS(realizing)

Ah.


CUT TO:

EXT. T'KHENAKLIN -- FIELD -- MIDMORNING

Same field as before. Cross is now next to the residentialbuilding DIRECTLY in front of the field. The door opens.

An ELDERLY KLINGON WOMAN comes out from it. She is wrinkled,though too vibrant to be seen as infirm, and wears cotton-like fabrics not entirely unlike the OLD KLINGON seen at theend of Act One. She looks at Cross with distinct surprise.

ELDERLY KLINGON WOMANI thought you weren't coming backtill later.

CROSSYou're Jal?

JALI'm hardly anybody else.

CROSSOkay. I was sent to get some SaurianBrandy from you.

JALIt's Durnak, isn't it?

CROSSWell, yes. It's for Durnak.

Jal turns away from him, heading off toward a corner.

JAL(over her shoulder)

He's running up quite a bill.

Jal returns with a bottle of Saurian brandy. She hands itto Cross.

JAL (CONT'D)Tell him I want some of that paymenthe's meant to give before the end ofthe week or he'll stop getting hisbrandy.

CROSSI'll be sure to.

JALYou want anything?

CROSSNo thanks.

Jal nods.


JALBye now.

Jal closes the door. Cross turns away, back the directionhe came from, carrying the Saurian Brandy. He seems slightlymelancholy. He looks down at the bottle.

CROSS(ironically, muttered)

I guess this is what I was searchingfor...

As he walks off, we...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. T'KHENAKLIN -- REPLICATOR HOUSE -- AFTERNOON

The same as it was before, only now clearly later in theday.

INT. REPLICATOR HOUSE

There are the remains of eaten foodstuffs and their plateson the counter, two emptied bottles -- the latter bloodwine. Durnak, standing by the counter, is busy downing a third. Jrosennes, Maktra, and D'korga are hunched down, busilyworking at the replicator. Cross is sitting on one of thosedisreputable-looking chairs at the corner, next to the door. So far, it hasn't given out on him. He's beginning to nodoff.

JROSENNES(indicating)

Do you think we should...

D'KORGA(indicating somethingelse)

No, that compromises this too much.

MAKTRAD'korga?

D'KORGAYes, Maktra?

MAKTRAI don't think this'll hold.

(indicating)Look.

D'KORGAWhat... tojo'Qa'!

(to Durnak)Durnak!


Durnak stops drinking.

DURNAKEh?

D'KORGAThis jury-rigging of yours won'thold, Durnak.

Durnak gets off the counter and bends over D'korga.

DURNAKHow...?

(he sees it)Damn! I guess we will need to replaceit.

(beat)I'll contact HQ about this tomorrow.

D'KORGATomorrow? But without that we can'thold this!

DURNAKDay's over, D'korga.

D'KORGAWhat, already?

DURNAKIt'll hold. For the night.

D'korga looks back at it.

D'KORGA(reluctant)

I guess.

D'korga stands.

D'KORGA (CONT'D)All right. We'll meet again tomorrow,at...

(looking at emptyplate)

That was my gagh!

DURNAK(guiltily)

Oh, was it? Sorry.

D'KORGA(irritated)

It's fine.

D'korga heads towards the door, Jrosennes, Maktra and finallyDurnak following him in more or less that order.


Before D'korga exits, he thumps Cross.

CROSS(awake)

Ow.

D'KORGAYou're done for the day. Go awaynow.

D'korga opens the door and EXITS. Cross cradles his arm asJrosennes, Maktra and Durnak follow suit, none of them showingany particular pity for him -- in Jrosennes's case, mildamusement.

CUT TO:

EXT. T'KHENAKLIN -- MARKET -- AFTERNOON

Cross strolls alone, backpack on pack. He is thoughtful,restless. His expression says it all: This isn't what heexpected.

EXT. T'KHENAKLIN -- RAVINE -- AFTERNOON

Cross is now standing at the natural edge of T'khenaklin. He gazes out at the panorama of mountains at a remarkablysimilar angle to the shot in act one.

He just seems to stare there, lost to everything. Enraptured.

VOICE (O.S.)It's a beautiful view, isn't it?

Cross slowly turns around, at an angle, looking up at theOLD KLINGON as seen in Act One. The OLD KLINGON has hardlychanged since then. He is not looking at either Cross orthe view, but uphill -- seeming to look for something.

Not finding it, he looks over towards the blue sky.

CROSS(subdued)

Yes.

OLD KLINGON(conversationally)

Sometimes it's so easy to forget,you know. Living up here all thetime. So every day I stay up here...

(beat)I make sure I never forget.

Cross gazes on, slightly uncertain.

OLD KLINGON (CONT'D)Ah.

(MORE)


OLD KLINGON (CONT'D)(slowly, touch ofirony)

I presume you're wondering whetheror not I know you're Captain NeilCross of the starship Enterprise,and if I do, why I am not launchinginto a tirade.

CROSSYou seem to be reasonably wellinformed.

OLD KLINGONReasonably. To be polite, my nameis Kaunel, though unlike you I donot have a starship to call my home. I am of T'khenaklin.

CROSSAh.

KAUNELAnd as for why I have not launched atirade, I am sure you have heardplenty of them now. There's no reasonfor me to retrace ground amplycovered.

CROSS(guardedly)

I see.

Kaunel walks over to Cross, and looks out across the blue. Cross is initially hesitant from taking his eyes off Kaunel,but then too focuses on the stunning view.

KAUNEL(not looking)

Why are you here, Cross?

CROSSDon't you know?

KAUNELI think I do.

CROSS(puzzled)

Oh?

KAUNEL(matter-of-fact)

You're here to patronize us.

This sparks an immediate REACTION from Cross, who turns toface Kaunel.


CROSSNow wait one moment --

Kaunel turns to look at Cross.

KAUNEL(swiftly, with drycontempt)

You kill a few dozen Klingons andfind the guilt unbearable. You wantto throw a sop over it, you want aneasy answer. You want some kind offorgiveness, reversal, second chance,though of course you'd never call itthat.

(beat)So you decide to follow logic. Opposites cancel out. To removeguilt of killing people, save somepeople. It's a neat little piece ofmoral math. Course, the equationworks even better when you're savingKlingons -- how magnanimous, indeed!

(beat)Problem is for you, guilt usuallydoesn't go by the numbers.

CROSSThat's...

Suddenly, he stops. The truth seems to dawn on him. Heraises his eyebrows. Slightly shell-shocked, he muses for amoment.

CROSS (CONT'D)And what if it is? What if it'sjust my guilt? How does that concernyou?

Kaunel shrugs, as if the answer is obvious.

KAUNELWe're the ones you came to help.

(beat, suggestive)Maybe you should think about that.

On Kaunel, we...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT THREE

RENAISSANCE: "Aithalian Lessons" - ACT FOUR 37.

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

EXT. T'KHENAKLIN -- FIELD -- DAWN

Same as usual, only the local star is just beginning to rise. Cross is lying on the ground, the same fabric spread out tosupport him, the same backpack acting as a headrest. However,he is not asleep. He looking up into the navy sky... thinking.

We hold on him for a BEAT in total silence, then:

CROSS (V.O.)Kaunel was right. I was searchingto alleviate my guilt, that guilt Ifinally felt I had under control.

(beat)I came here because I thought I neededpeople -- to need me. That if onlyI had that, it'd have been better.

(beat)Well, they don't need me. And I'mbeginning to wonder if it would havemade any difference if they had...

(beat)Probably not.

CUT TO:

EXT. T'KHENAKLIN -- REPLICATOR HOUSE -- MIDDAY

An establishing shot of the Replicator House, midday. Nobodyis visible outside it.

INT. REPLICATOR HOUSE

A close focus on Cross. His eyes are closed.

D'KORGA (O.S.)(sharply)

Cross!

No response.

D'korga hits him. Cross starts.

CROSS(dimly)

Yes? What?

D'KORGAGet down to storage. Get the boxmarked "Replicator Hardware."


We can now see the entire room properly. D'korga is rightnext to Cross, who once more was at the corner of the roomon one of the chairs. Off at the far side of the room Durnak,Maktra and Jrosennes are busy working at the replicator.

CROSSRight, okay.

Beat. Cross, seeming quite tired, doesn't move at first.

D'KORGAMove!

Cross, grumbling, gets up and heads towards the door.

CROSSYou don't have to keep hitting me,you know.

D'KORGA(coldly)

That's my prerogative. Now move! Or are you sick of performinghumanitarian acts already, butcher?

Cross opens the door, is about to walk outside, but then,thinking something else, turns back towards D'korga.

CROSSWhere's storage?

D'korga curses, and runs right towards the door, pushingCross out of the way.

D'KORGAI'll go.

CROSSI didn't -

D'KORGAGo back to sleep.

D'korga stalks down the street. Cross, bemused, watches himgo. The three other Klingons have stopped what they aredoing and watch this icily. Cross then enters the room againa little timidly. He closes the door behind him and lookstowards the three Klingons, who have not taken their eyesoff him.

CROSSAs you were.

MAKTRAShut up.


Slightly embarrassed, Cross sinks back into his chair. Slowly, the three pry their eyes off him and return to work.

Cross, still a little tired, watches them for a moment. Hebegins to yawn --

MAKTRA (CONT'D)I said shut up!

He's stifled.

CUT TO:

EXT. T'KHENAKLIN -- FIELD -- LATE AFTERNOON

That same field. Cross has just arrived. He is about toset down his backpack --

KAUNEL (O.S.)Still here?

Cross turns to face him. Kaunel is the same as before, buthe seems to have the stingy bite taken out of him. He walkstowards Cross.

KAUNEL (CONT'D)I didn't think you were a man ofdenial.

CROSSI have three more days booked here.

KAUNELI doubt either the reconstructionworkers or their Headquarters wouldobstruct an early cancellation.

CROSSI don't intend one.

KAUNEL(expansively)

Ah.

CROSS(slightly irked)

You seem quite intent to preach.

KAUNELI don't preach. I merely report thefacts, my interpretation of them,whether or not the listener wants tohear them or not.

CROSSOf course.


Beat. Kaunel turns away from Cross, now looking up towardsthe mountain, searching. He does this for only a moment,and then, evidently unsatisfied, he turns back to Cross.

KAUNELWere you intending to sleep there?

CROSSYes. It's all I've got.

KAUNELWould you prefer to sleep under aroof?

Cross's eyes narrow.

CROSSAre you mocking me?

KAUNELNo, I'm offering. You can sleep inmy house for those three nights yousay you'll stay here. Or will it befour?

CROSSNo, three's sufficient. Would I becorrect in assuming the price is asermon?

KAUNELVery.

Cross nonchalantly shrugs to this response.

KAUNEL (CONT'D)This way.

Kaunel gestures away from the field. Cross follows him...

EXT. T'KHENAKLIN -- MAIN

...from Jal's lodging and across T'khenaklin. As seeminglyalways, only a handful people are out.

CROSSNot to be blunt, but why are youtaking me in?

Kaunel looks directly at Cross. His eyes are full of a deeplysincere passion.

KAUNELThat's what you need to understand.


CUT TO:

EXT. T'KHENAKLIN -- HOVEL -- NIGHTFALL

One more residential building of T'khenaklin's. This onelooks particularly unimpressive -- a single story structure. From this angle we can see one window only, as well as adoor -- like most other buildings here, obviously, in Klingonstyle.

INT. KITCHEN -- HOVEL

Well, kitchen is approximately the best word for it. Thereis a drab couch that looks mildly comfortable, a low-lyingwooden table, an apparatus looking like some cross between afuturistic sink and a boiler. Various odds and ends are onthe wooden table, almost all of which seem to be of a uniquelypersonal nature. There is an uncomfortable looking chairnext to the table, a cheap version of the Klingon chairswe're more accustomed to seeing. The walls are faded, crackedand grey. There is the Klingon equivalent of a coat hanger,where Kaunel's overcoat now rests. There is one door in theroom, which appears to lead out into whatever passes as thehovel's hallway. Cross sits on the couch. He is clearlythinking to himself. Kaunel is currently operating the taps,letting what appears to be steaming water pour into a cupthat he is holding. Over the following dialogue the cupfills, he puts it to one side and lets the water fill anothercup.

KAUNEL(not looking up)

Is there anything you'd like inparticular?

CROSS(staring at the wall)

In particular?

KAUNELTo drink.

CROSSNo, I'm fine.

KAUNELWill steaming water do?

CROSSI don't want to press...

Kaunel laughs.

KAUNELOh, don't worry. This thing iscorrected to a sewage system.

(MORE)


KAUNEL (CONT'D)I have almost unlimited access towater for a small fee.

(beat)Just because we don't have replicatorsdoesn't mean we have to forage.

(beat)How will steaming water be?

CROSSFine, thank you.

Beat. Cross considers something.

CROSS (CONT'D)What were you looking for?

KAUNELHmm?

CROSSI saw you look up toward the mountainsonce or twice. What's that about?

Kaunel laughs, pleasantly.

KAUNELI was searching for Thirak. They'rean animal native to Dukhta, an orange-fleeced mammal. Their meat is tenderand on high demand here inT'khenaklin. Killing a Thirak canresult in a respectable sum. Sure,like I said, we're not foragers. Wecould import replicated Thirak meatif we wanted to from the city --it's not that expensive. But realThirak flesh is much tastier, moresumptuous. Not only that, but theirfleece makes excellent cotton.

He turns around, now holding a steaming cup of water in eachhand. He walks over to Cross, places a cup before Cross andputs the other next to the chair, which he then sits downon.

KAUNEL (CONT'D)(indicating clothes)

My wife made this out of dyed Thirakcotton. It's very durable stuff --here, feel it.

Cross reaches out his hand and strokes the cotton. It seemsto be quite dense. He puts his hand down.

CROSSI see.


KAUNEL(indicating cup)

Go ahead, try it. Not much of aspecialty, but it's a favored drinkof mine.

He then picks up the cup of steaming water. He tests itcarefully with his tongue. His reaction is most unpleasant,and he puts the cup back down.

KAUNEL (CONT'D)Too hot?

Cross nods the affirmative, rubbing his mouth. Kaunel smiles.

KAUNEL (CONT'D)Pity. It will, of course, cool downin a few moments.

CROSS(not wanting to prod)

Your wife?

Kaunel sighs, deeply. He seems more grave now then he'sbeen before.

KAUNELShe died a few years ago.

CROSS(somber)

I'm sorry to hear that.

Kaunel pauses, takes a sip from his steaming cup of water. He swallows it down quickly, not showing any sign of pain. Once more, his gaze locks with Cross's.

KAUNELI have never left Dukhta. Oh, I'veall over the planet -- from KrumarCity to the coasts of Dirsat. TheKhoraki desert, the Mackal beaches... I like to travel. But I've neverseen the point in going to space. Alife is short, an a single planethas more then enough attractions tokeep one occupied.

(beat)And even then, I've spent most of mytime in T'khenaklin. Yes, it's asmall village. So I'm staying hereto stop it becoming any smaller.

(beat)And you're not the first person I'veseen come their way here on a mission.

(MORE)


KAUNEL (CONT'D)A few Imperialists came up here,once. They wanted to protect usfrom the Reformists. By the timethey'd left a few Reformists came uphere too: They wanted to protect usfrom the Imperialists.

(beat)And they're not the only misguidedpeople you're following in thefootsteps of, not at all. We hadStarfleet folk here about a decadeago. They called themselvespeacekeepers. Of course, we neededto be protected from the Imperialistsand the Reformists.

Cross shrugs.

CROSSI'm not trying to protect you fromanyone.

KAUNELTrue. But your folly is the same astheirs: They all came here assumingwe needed them. Nobody, naturally,asked us if we wanted or needed theirhelp. And it turned out that, ifanything, they needed us.

(beat)Not for the same reasons as you, ofcourse. The Imperialists and theReformists wanted to secure theKolyara Mountain villages as easilydefensible bases for hit and runattacks. The peacekeepers wanted tostop them from occupying the villagesfor precisely that reason.

(beat)But they did need us. And you neededus. None of them were that concernedabout our wishes and needs, andneither were you.

(beat, motioning todoor)

Out, past that hallway, is a bed. I'm letting you sleep on it. I won'tgain anything from that -- I'll haveto sleep on the couch, actually.

CROSSI could sleep on the couch --

KAUNELNo, I wouldn't hear of it.

(MORE)


KAUNEL (CONT'D)Take the bed. You asked me earlierwhy I was letting you sleep on thebed, and this is precisely my point.

(beat)Help, true help, is self-less. Youdo things for people not become youhave a need for it or see someadvantage in it, but because theyboth need you to do it and willbenefit from you doing it.

CROSSThat's what you wanted to tell me?

KAUNELIn essence, yes.

Cross gazes over towards Kaunel for a moment. They share itin silence.

CROSSThank you.

KAUNELYou have nothing to thank me for.

CROSSThe bed.

Kaunel waves it away.

KAUNELNot at all.

(beat)Would you like to use it now? Orwould you like some dinner?

CROSSThat's okay, I'm not hungry.

KAUNELAh. Not find Klingon food appetizing?

CROSSI'm getting used to it.

Kaunel chuckles.

KAUNEL(in a slightly bettermood)

Go on, take the bed. Not much ofone, but who cares?

Cross stands, opens the door. He looks back at Kaunel.


CROSSWhere is it?

KAUNELOnly other room in the house, toiletexcluded. Right across the hallway.

(with irony)Can't miss it.

CROSSThanks.

Cross exits, closing the door behind him. As Kaunel readiesto sleep on the couch, we...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT FOUR

RENAISSANCE: "Aithalian Lessons" - ACT FIVE 47.

ACT FIVE

FADE IN:

EXT. RECONSTRUCTION HOUSE -- MORNING

An establishing shot of the Reconstruction House, morning. Cross comes into camera view, and walks right up to the door,which he opens.

INT. RECONSTRUCTION HOUSE

Cross has just entered. D'korga is standing directly infront of Jrosennes, Maktra to one side. A conversationbetween the last three is evidently already in place. Crosswatches passively.

D'KORGAHe's what?

JROSENNESIll.

D'KORGAFrom what?

Beat. Jrosennes seems somewhat comfortable answering thisquestion.

D'KORGA (CONT'D)Jrosennes!

JROSENNESA...

(beat)Hangover, D'korga. He and I wereout last night, and, well, he had afew again.

MAKTRAWhy didn't you stop him?

JROSENNES(overlapping)

I tried, but he wouldn't listen!

D'KORGA(malicious, overlapping)

A few! I doubt it was a few!(beat, curses)

We need Durnak today, ghuy'cha'! Thereplacement has arrived and we needhim for the installation!

JROSENNESHe might come round later.


D'KORGALater. Later!

D'korga flings his arm at the counter.

D'KORGA (CONT'D)He even eats my gagh!

CROSSWhat was his specialty?

MAKTRA(sharply)

Stay out of this, butcher.

CROSSI'm just asking.

D'korga, slowly, turns around.

D'KORGAAnd how does it interest you?

CROSSI might have some knowledge in it.

D'KORGADurnak was our specialist on thepreservation of mass conservation.

CROSSHmm.

D'KORGAWell?

CROSSI got a very good mark in that onthe Academy.

D'KORGAAll right.

MAKTRA(protesting)

D'korga --

D'KORGA(stern)

Maktra.(to Cross)

You can have a look at this and offeryour advice, if your knowledge issufficient. But you are not to touchanything without my permission.


Cross comes over to the replicator. He and D'korga hunchdown together. Maktra and Jrosennes hunch down nearby.

D'KORGA (CONT'D)(indicating)

Now, we intend to replace this withthis. But we don't want to disruptthe rigging here...

Cross rubs his chin thoughtfully.

CROSSThat's a rather odd alignment.

MAKTRA(contemptuously)

Is that all you have to say?

CROSSHere, you could keep that power inplace if you move this... to hereand this... there. It won't workas well as his arrangement, but itwill work long enough for the transferto be made.

D'KORGA(doubtful)

Hmmm.

JROSENNESIt looks sound to me.

D'KORGAWhen I need your advice on thismatter, Jrosennes, I'll let you know.

D'korga begins to work at the open area, moving wires et al.

CROSSThat looks a lot like my suggestion.

D'KORGAThat's because it is your suggestion. Now, what do you think we should donext?

CROSSWhere's the replacement part?

D'korga hands him an object.

D'KORGAHere.

Cross doubtfully looks down at it for a moment.


D'KORGA (CONT'D)(noticing)

Just hold it while I take the faultyone out. Unless you think there'sany other alterations needed?

CROSSNo, that's fine for now.

D'korga disconnects the device, and puts it on the floor. He now puts the other device in.

CROSS (CONT'D)(indicating)

However, don't connect it back yetto it's original position. The secondjury-rigging I've done there is lessstable than the original, so it'sgot to be readjusted carefully. First, you see, this ... should gohere, and this... here. I'll comeback to settling that later. It'llleave the space needed to move this... here and this ... here. Now, Iknow that's not the normalconfiguration, but you seem to bemissing a few parts anyway so itwould only work properly using thatmethod... I think.

D'KORGAYou think?

CROSSOh, I'm as sure as I can be aboutthis, trust me.

D'KORGANo, thank you.

CROSSOh.

D'korga begins to work. Cross watches him for a few moments.

CROSS (CONT'D)You're just doing it anyway.

D'KORGAThat's because it seems like a goodidea.

D'korga finishes.

D'KORGA (CONT'D)Now, what next?


We pull back over D'korga's shoulder as Cross begins to pointthings out (which he does in silence).

CROSS (V.O.)Sometimes when you search, you'renot looking what you thought youwere looking for. You thought youwere desiring something from theoutside world, but in the end, it'sonly something your mind can giveyou.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. RECONSTRUCTION HOUSE -- LATER

We're still at the same angle and the same room, but Cross,D'korga etc. are in different positions. Food is on thecounter. It seems some time has passed, and they talk andwork silently.

CROSS (V.O.)An inner peace. To expunge the guiltfrom my mind. A foolish and senselessdream, I realize it now. That's myguilt: I must live with it. It isan integral part of me, and it issomething I must never forget I amguilty of, or wish away... I feelif I could wish this away, I'd beless than human.

DISSOLVE TO:


Another FADE. The four are now joined by Durnak. D'korga,Jrosennes and Durnak are debating something while Cross andMektra work.

CROSS (V.O.)But part of my search was noble,even if it was just an outer layerto look for a peace that didn't exist. Helping others. It doesn't expungeguilt. It can never, ever, repaythat terrible thing I've done, thatcatastrophe of my making that lurksin my sleeping and waking thoughts.

DISSOLVE TO:


Yet another FADE. Cross, Durnak and Jrosennes are workingat something while D'korga and Mektra supply tools.


After a few moments, Cross stands, talks to them, and theyall in no particular order EXIT.

CUT TO:

EXT. T'KHENAKLIN -- RAVINE

The same shot of the city as seen in the first act. Kaunelis there, looking out, down towards that distant city.

CROSS (V.O.)But it can make the universe a betterplace. Maybe just a little. Maybejust insuring a few people have morefood then they had before. But it'sa difference. And those differencesare worth striving for.

We cut to Kaunel's POV and see what he sees: A small shapein the distance, the MAGNUS, ascending to the stars. Kaunelsmiles slightly, somewhat disinterested (as sound returns). Then he thinks he hears something, and turns around, lookingup the mountaintop.

Is that a patch of orange...?

KAUNELHah!

Kaunel races up towards the Thirak directly above him aswe...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT FIVE

THE END

2x23 Aithalian Lessons · you've proven how every good it can still be. (beat) You're a good...

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